I just want to say a massive thank you to all 300 of you who spent their time reading my fan fiction! All you guys are amazing! An even greater thank you to those who reviewed my story! It's good to know what people are thinking, whether good or bad.

So, let me know what you think of chapter 4 :D

Some reviewers have requested an alternative POV and I hope to include one at the end of this chapter.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter 4

Day One Hundred

My life had changed so much in the last few weeks. The change was as major as my initial move to Forks. After finding the presents hidden under the floorboards I made a promise to myself that no matter what, one day, I would find my lost family. I had to do it for my baby so that it could know its family. Not only that but I had my own personal reasons. I needed to know why Edward had hidden those items. He could have taken them, or even burnt them, and yet he left them concealed. The reasons for it followed me wherever I went, and the theories behind them gave me comfort in my darkest hours, the knowledge that I would eventually find my family that never came to be. I never let the pain consume me after that day as it had before. I felt as if I had been put to the test and had passed. I had new reasons to live and I vowed that I would enjoy every day to the fullest.

It still did not seem real to me that in a few short months I would have a new life to care for. Instead of filling me with dread, I was overjoyed. Someone had given me a second chance, and I was not going to pass on it lightly. I had already saved some money away for things I would need and with the help of Leah, had already started looking for baby clothes. I still spent every weekend in La Push and I was happy that I had not lost my closest friends due to the choices I had made.

Charlie had come to terms with the idea of being a Pop and was starting to look forward to it. If only it had been that easy with Renée. It had taken me 3 hours continuously on the phone to her to convince her that I was keeping the baby. She tried every argument in the book, from you won't be able to afford a baby to you are too young. I just kept bringing up the fact that I was no different to her. I found I was speaking to her less and less at the moment, she just aggravated me unnecessarily. Charlie was also putting some money aside for me so that it would be easier to support us. I think if he wasn't worried so much about me, Charlie would be skipping around the place. He had even gone so far as to agree for me to take a sabbatical from school for a year so I could bring my baby into the world without having to hear the malicious gossip from the people at school.

I had been staring out of the window for a while before I realised what the date was. If my calculations were correct, I was about 14 weeks pregnant and needed to have a scan to make sure everything was going fine. I found out I would be able to find out whether my baby was going to be a boy or a girl too. I couldn't wait. I just hoped Charlie was able to take me. I phoned the hospital and had managed to book and appointment for later that day.

"Dad, are you going fishing today?"I shouted through to him in the living room. It was already 11 o'clock in the morning so I didn't think he would be.

"No Bells, I wasn't able to go this weekend. I have to pick up some overtime down at the station as one of the guys is on holiday. Why'd you ask?" He shouted right back at me, although his eyes never left the TV screen.

"I have to go to the hospital." That did it; Charlie was on his feet in an instant with a panicked look on his face. I didn't mean for it to come out as abruptly as it did and felt instantly guilty for worrying him. "Don't worry Dad - I just have my 12 week scan. I wondered whether you wanted to come with me." I hoped for just a second that he would be able to come with me. We had grown ever so much closer with everything that had happened. I felt that we had made up for all the time I lost living with Renée.

"I'm so sorry Bells. I can't. I want to, I really do. But I have to do this. We can go out for dinner later to celebrate. How does that sound?" He perked up a bit when he thought of food.

"Excellent. I'll see if Jake wants to come with me. No harm in trying eh, Dad?" I added a smile on the end so that he knew I didn't blame him for working. After all, he was working the extra hours to save up for me.

"You know full well that Jacob has become very attached to you! I think he likes you more than just a friend. Me and Billy have been talking..." He looked so serious. I just laughed it off, not wanting to offend him. If only he really knew what was going on in La Push...

As I giggled to myself, I carefully made my way over to the phone. I had not fallen recently, but I did not want to cause myself any unwanted injuries. It rang 4 times before a very groggy sounding Jake picked up the receiver on the other end.

"Hello..." I think I might have woken him up.

"Hey Jake, it's Bella. Don't suppose you're free today?"

"I can be, what you planning?"

"It's time for my first scan and I wouldn't mind some transport and moral support."

"Oh my god Bella! Of course I will be there. What time do you want me to swing by?"

"Actually Jake, would it be ok if I were to come get you. I feel like I haven't driven in ages!" Everyone had become very overprotective of me once again. It was not needed. My truck could only reach fifty-seven at best, and that wasn't a comfortable ride.

"Are you sure, I don't think that would be a good idea..." See what I mean.

"Well Jake, if you don't want me to pick you up then I guess I'll just go on my own." I put on my best pitiful voice, hoping that it would let me get my own way. It did.

"You can't go on your own. Especially if there's anything... weird... with the baby. I'll be there."

That's the problem. People who are involved in the supernatural expect the supernatural at every turn. This pregnancy had been normal for now, and I couldn't wait to meet my baby for the first time.

We arrived at the hospital just after 2 o'clock in the afternoon and were taken directly through to the doctor. I was immediately directed to a bed, as the nurse threw dirty looks at Jake. He was beginning to get used to people assuming that he was the Dad. Scary thing, he didn't seem to mind. The doctor put the cold gel onto my stomach so that the ultrasound would work. My doctor was a pretty woman but she would never be my favourite doctor, her hands were too warm. She moved the sensor around for a while before a faint hum could be heard from the machine. I glanced at the screen and there, before my eyes, was the most beautiful creature I had ever seen.

My Baby.

Even though I had made a promise to myself that I would never shed another tear in the presence of Jake, I couldn't stop when the tears welled up in my eyes and threatened to overflow. I felt Jake gently squeeze my hand when he saw my reaction. I briefly glanced away from the screen to see that Jake too was holding onto his tears, not even looking at me.

"Well, Miss Swan, everything seems to be in perfect order. You are just under 15 weeks pregnant so we should be able to see whether you are having a little girl or a boy if you would like?" The doctor's tone was warm, unlike the gel, which she reapplied to adjust the sensor.

"Oh my god, I can't believe that's my baby. Is it meant to be that fuzzy?" I had never seen an ultrasound before, but I thought you could normally see the limbs and such.

She smiled at my reaction. "It is a bit fuzzier than normal, but I wouldn't worry, it might just mean that your placenta is a bit thicker than normal. She is just perfect I wouldn't worry in the slightest."

"She...? It's a little girl?" The doctor just nodded. A little girl. I wonder who she would look more like. Oh I don't care. She's healthy and she's mine. The tears overflowed at my overpowering happiness.

The doctor gave me a towel to wipe the goo off my stomach before I was allowed to leave. I nearly forgot to ask for a photo but Jake had already slipped out and bought 10 photos and a DVD of the scan.

"Jake, you shouldn't have!" My emotions were all over the place today. I could feel anger resurfacing as he wasted his money on those things.

"Bells, I won't hear of it! Besides, when everyone down at the rez heard about your scan, they all gave me some money to buy them a photo... You don't mind do you? I bought some for you too!" He looked so sheepish, I couldn't help but laugh. A fully grown werewolf being scared of a tiny, hormonal pregnant girl.

As we left the maternity ward, I saw Jessica and Mike sneaking in. Guess I wasn't the only one harbouring a little secret.

I was at a loss what to do for the rest of the day. I sat in my truck with Jake, both of us stunned, staring out the window. Neither of us spoke, but the silence wasn't awkward.

"I think my little one is going to be spoiled by her Uncle Jake. Don't you?"

Jake turned to face me with the biggest grin I had ever seen plastered across his face. He was so enthusiastic about everything; I was glad that my baby would have someone fun-loving to play with when she was old enough. As Emmett was no longer with us, Jake would be more than a perfect replacement. My thoughts drifted to Alice and wondered whether she had seen any of this.

I was still bitter about not having a goodbye but I knew that the whole family was already forgiven in my eyes. They had given me the best present I could ever have wished for. An idea struck me. I knew what I wanted to do but I wasn't sure Jake would be happy about it.

"Jake, I want to go to the old Cullen house."

Anger flashed across his features and his palms started to shake.

"Please hear me out. I just want to see what it's like now they are no longer there. I need this Jake. I want to be able to tell my baby about her family, her whole family, from the wolves to the vampires to the humans. I need to find out something about where they went. You don't have to come in with me; I just want to go there one last time." My voice trailed off at the end – desperately trying to prevent the sadness from creeping into my voice.

"Ok, I will come with you. I will stay in the car but I will come up there with you. Would be good to see the crypt!" Trust him to make a joke out of an awkward situation.

It took me a lot longer than I remembered to make my way up to the white house hidden amongst the trees. The driveway, in the few months it had remained unused, had become overgrown with weeds. If I hadn't memorised exactly where it was, I would never had found it. I became more anxious as we made our way up the driveway; unsure of what I might find when we finally arrived. Jake sensing my anxiety grabbed my hand in his and rubbed small circles with his thumb on the back of my hand.

As we drove around the final corner of the drive, at a much slower speed that I was used to, the glass-fronted mansion rose out of the undergrowth. It looked very similar to how I remember, but it was missing the warmth that it once had. It now felt as if a coven on vampires was living here, ironic. When I slowed to a stop outside of the house, the anxiety I felt on the way here became too powerful. My knuckles had turned white by the amount I was squeezing the wheel.

"Well, we're here." Jake wrinkled his nose at the scents that were probably bombarding him. "Are you going to go in or just sit there whilst I endure this stench?"

"Jake I don't know if I can, it seems so different. I don't like it."

"Well things are different." Cheers Jake, just what I needed to hear. "But you'll regret it later if we leave now, so get your ass in there."

I gently opened the door of my truck and made my way over to the front door. If it was locked then that would be it. I had tried but it would not be my place to break in. As I stood in front of the entrance to the place I had spent the most time in Forks, I carefully placed my hand on the glass panels. I stood there for a while as if waiting for someone to come and let me in. I almost expected Alice to come bouncing out of the doorway or Emmett to throw the door open and pick me up in a massive bear hug whilst Edward was telling him to be careful in the background. I tried not to be disappointed when it didn't happen. I applied a little bit of pressure to the door and to my surprise it silently opened in front of me. I suppose that the trespassers that the Cullen's had to worry about wouldn't be the people that would be deterred by a locked door.

The sight of the living room brought back a lot of memories that I had suppressed in my mind. When I closed my eyes, it was as if they were all here with me again. All the furniture that they had left behind was covered in dust sheets, all facing where Emmett's enormous television once stood. I moved through to the kitchen looked exactly as I remember, although the fridge was empty and all the crockery had been moved. I sat at the table and remembered all the delicious food that Esme had made for me over the months.

The next stop was one of the rooms I was dreading the most. The piano room. This room was uniquely Edward but without him here it was just another music room. I ran my fingers up the keys but in the months of neglect, the instrument had fallen out of tune. I remembered sitting on the piano bench as Edward played me my lullaby. The CD in my desk had still not been played; I was not ready to hear it for real.

I made my way into the garage, but seeing it empty I moved up the stairs to the first floor. I missed what was Rosalie and Emmett's room, that place held no memories, as did Carlisle and Esme's. The door to Alice and Jasper's room was open unlike the rest, almost inviting me in. The bed was unmade and all of Jasper's books had been packed away and shipped to wherever they were at the moment. I sat on the floor in Alice's closest surrounded by eerily empty rails. I never thought I would long for the day that I wanted to play Bella Barbie.

The last flight of stairs seemed to take an eternity. Each step weighed me down more than the last. I decided to go into Carlisle's study first, knowing that Edward's room would be my last resort.

The room was as majestic as I remember, although the paintings had gone. I remembered Edward telling me about the story behind each one, Carlisle's life story, and was particularly amazed by the one of Carlisle with the Volturi. I sat on the floor and stared up at the faded marks on the wall remembering each of the paintings in detail. I had no idea how much time had passed but I was sure that Jake was probably getting very bored in my truck.

The final stop. Edward's room. I opened the door and was assailed by his scent. I breathed it in deeply and made myself enter the room I was dreading the most. His sofa was still here but all of his carefully organised CDs and his sound system had disappeared. I lay on his sofa and watched as the sunset over the forest. I knew the time was approaching for me to leave so I stretched and prepared myself for the loss I would feel when I was no longer here. As I ran my arms down the side of the sofa, something caught my attention.

Wedged down beside the cushion I was sat on was an envelope. I knew I shouldn't intrude but something was telling me that I should see what it was. I picked it up from between the cushions and found that carefully scribed on the front was one word, Bella.

I didn't recognise the hand writing. I was going to read it when I got home but I couldn't wait. I tore open the envelope and was relieved when I didn't cut myself on it. I lifted out the letter and began to read:

My dearest daughter,

Edward has chosen to make the biggest mistake of his life and leave you.

He believes that he is doing this to protect you but we all know that he is ruining his life by doing so.

As I am writing this, our family is packing up our house ready to leave when Edward returns from talking to you. I do not want to leave you, but you must understand that I could never betray my first son. You are a very strong person and I imagine that he will need me in these coming months more than you will.

Even so, I could not depart without telling you how sorry I am. You make our family complete, and I only leave in the full knowledge that one day, I will see you again. I don't have visions like Alice but I suppose you could call it motherly instinct.

I only hope that you will be safe in our absence because should anything happen to you, it would not only destroy Edward but also our entire family.

Alice has just told me that Edward is going directly to Denali and he wishes me to pack up his belongings. I don't believe we will be there long but if you ever need anything then head there and the Denali sisters will be more than happy to help.

I know flights to Alaska are not cheap so I have enclosed a bank card for you to use. Only you and I know of this so if you ever use it then I will be the only one who will ever find out. I have become very talented at hiding my thoughts. I will not even tell Carlisle.

I can only hope writing this that you will one day find this letter and forgive my family for all the wrongs we have caused in your life.

If you could do me one favour, when you find this letter please buy something, anything so that I know you are safe and well. In the closet I have left you one of Edward's jumpers. I know he does love you and he would want you to have something to remember him by.

In expectance of your return,

Your loving Mother,

Esme.

The tears were streaming down my face as I read this letter. My family, my Edward love me. It was all one big mistake. I was even more determined that I would find them one day especially now that I knew at least one of them was waiting for me. I went into the closest and folded on one of the shelves in the corner was, just as Esme had stated in her letter, one of Edward's jumpers. I wasn't sure if she realised but it was the one his was wearing the day he took me to the meadow for the first time. I placed the letter and the bank card in the pocket of my jeans and slipped the jumper over my head. I felt myself dissolve into floods of tears and collapsed on the floor, letting the sobs shake through me. I don't know how long I stayed on the floor of the closest but I became lucid when I felt myself being picked up in a set of warm arms. I dug my nails into its arm, struggling to remain where I was. I did not want to leave, but I knew that I was fighting against the inevitable. Before long I felt the cold air on my face and felt myself being readjusted in the arms as the door to my truck was opened. I was placed into the passenger side as Jake got into the driver's side and sat looking at me, as if I was going to fall apart at any moment.

If I was honest with myself I probably would have but, remembering that I shouldn't be crying when everything was more right than it had been since they had left, I pulled myself together and sat upright looking right back at Jake. A small smile played across his lips before he stated:

"Jesus Bella, you reek."

Never-ending sobs turned into uncontrollable fits of giggles at that statement. His nose wrinkled under the scent of Edward's jumper in this enclosed space and I had to keep in mind that I needed to breathe.

"That's hardly surprising Jake, I have been into the vampire lair and came out dressed like one!"

"Hmm that's true. Oh and you need to cut your nails, you drew blood..."

He showed me his bare arm where blood was slowly trickling down from a nail mark on his bicep.

"I'm sorry Jake, I didn't mean to!"

"Don't worry Bells. Remember, I heal fast." Sure enough, when he showed me again, the wound had already closed up.

We slowly made our way back to my house, this time with Jake driving.

"Jake, do you mind if we stop off at the grocery store? I want to buy a drink."

"Sure sure Bells. Just don't be too long k? Charlie will be worried if we're too long."

I ran inside and bought a cheap bottle of water. It seemed pointless putting something so small onto the card, but Esme had asked it of me, so I had to for her.

Esme POV

Ever since we left Bella I had watched my family fall apart. All hope I had that we would survive this was slowly disappearing. After we moved up to Denali, my dear Edward had only stayed for 2 days before heading south. He vowed not to return to Bella, even if I knew that every moment he was away from her would destroy him.

We moved to our property near to Juneau when Alice and Jasper returned after their short break. Jasper was suffering with the grief of everyone around him and also his own guilt on top of all that and I couldn't help but feel for my newest son. Alice was struggling to block every vision that came her way of Bella as she had promised Edward to not interfere any longer. Her depression at losing her best friend and sister was not helping Jasper either so they tended to keep apart in the house to help each other, each sat away in their own space.

Rosalie and Emmett had lost their spark. Rosalie was no longer quick witted. She spent most of her time underneath the hood of a car and Emmett spent most of his time watching her. Their obnoxious attitude to love had vanished as did Emmett jovial outlook on life.

Carlisle spent most of his time working, unable to cope with seeing his remaining children in this state of distress and worrying about his oldest, yet youngest son, in case he was going to relapse as he did shortly after I had been turned.

This situation left me on my own for long periods of time. To help solve my near depression, I spent most of my time on the internet, planning new furniture for all our houses around the country.

I had been staring at the screen when I received a new email from our bank manager. I knew what this meant but I had to check to make sure. Needless to say, I was correct. The 8th bank card on the family account had been activated. Bella had found my letter, she had done as I asked and spent... wait. Oh Bella, how I missed you. She had spent exactly 49 cents. She had not changed, not matter how much money we had, she never wanted to waste it. I could only hope that she had forgiven us or at least considered it.

For the first time, in several months, I felt hope.

BPOV

The journey to get home seemed a lot shorter than the journey there. Jake came in with me so that he could give the photos to Charlie. Instead of going out for dinner, Charlie had ordered in a Chinese take away. Jake must have phoned ahead as there was so much more here than we normally ordered. Charlie was ecstatic that he was having a granddaughter; he could barely contain his excitement. It was time for me to go to bed so saw Jake out and wished Charlie a good night before I headed for my shower.

Thirty minutes later, I changed into my comfy pyjamas and trudged back into my room. A hand clasped over my mouth as I let out a slight scream.

"Jeez Bells, it's only me!" Jake whispered with a hint of humour in his voice.

"How did you get in here? I let you out!"

"Window. You should really leave it locked, anyone could break in."

"Oh yeah, like that would stop anyone who really wanted to get in."

"True, so what were you doing all this time?"

"What do you mean?! I was having a shower!"

"Well that's no good, you still stink of them... oh and by the way, remember to cut your nails. That hurt earlier."

"Yeah ok Jake, sure it did. Little red riding hood hurting the big bad wolf. I'll just grab some scissors."

Jake didn't look amused. Maybe I really did hurt him. I hadn't noticed how long my nails had grown so decided to cut them quite short. As I went to cut my first nail, the scissors fell apart. Determined to make a point to Jake I found another pair of scissors. This time the blades bent and yet my nails remained intact. Strange.

"Jake I think there's something wrong with these scissors. Two pairs have broken."

"Don't be silly. What do you mean?" He took one look at the scissors and paled. "Bella this scissors are really sharp. They couldn't just break."

"Ok Jake, practical joke over. Are you trying to say that my nails are super strong?"

"That's precisely what I'm saying. It took longer than normal for me to heal earlier. I didn't want to say anything but humans can't hurt us."

"Well sorry Jake but that's what I am. Human. Hate to break it to you."

"But there's a lot that's changed about you recently. I just thought it was motherhood but I'm not too sure anymore."

"What are you talking about Jake?"

"First that weird meat thing, then the whole scent thing, which is getting worse by the way, then you're hair is shinier and your skin is perfect, now your nails are breaking scissors. I just don't know what to think."

"Of course my scent will be worse after today, I would smell of them as I have been in their house today."

"But Bella, you don't smell of them. You smell like them. But like you it's so strange..." He trailed off on a thought before shaking his head and jumping out the window.

I couldn't understand what he meant. I ran my fingers along the desk in front of me. After such an amazing day it had to end with my best friend walking out on me. What was he on about anyway? I glanced down at the desk and noticed the deep grooves that were left in the wood. That wasn't normal. What the hell was happening to me?

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